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04 Mar 2015 10:20:01am

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Nice work Elaine - I agree that there are emerging technologies (information and biotech) that are challenging our organizational context. Our social systems move also in fluid and difficult to predict ways. We are moving into a period where the whole system of the planet that extends from some kilometers down from the topsoil and seabed (oil & resource extraction) right up through the atmosphere to the satellites and junk orbiting the planet (with small tendrils reaching out the to planets and beyond) is facing extraordinary times. This collection of complex interconnected living biomass, atmosphere, weather, geology, the oceans, forests, tundra etc, billions of human beings with our industry, science, history,geography, economics, media, politics, religion, infrastructure and other social structures are all one system.

Words of categorisation are an attempt to understand parts of that system. Systems change in two ways - through the intervention of an internal or external effect, or through that system 'consciously' choosing to change - often in response to previously mentioned effect. This can all get a little precious in description; basically, stuff happens, humans react, stuff happens, humans react etc. What is clear is that the previously mentioned global system is becoming increasingly accelerated, agitated and intense. US politicians loosening the controls on investment banking created after the 1930s depression has had a profound global effect. Such a seemingly simple action with profound implications for the whole global system. Similar global implications will evolve from advances in science, changes to the climate and sea level rises, potentially onto mass migrations from low lying coastal areas, an uncontrollable global pandemic, nuclear war in the middle east, etc.

The system dances indeed and that dance is becoming wilder and wilder, but as I mentioned in previous response to this article do not underestimate those with profound power and the conscious awareness of that power. It could be that a massive and sudden system readjustment may profoundly challenge those with power, who knows? . An interesting peek into that particular power narrative is Superclass: 'The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making' - David Rothkopf, 2008. But be warned - There be Dragons!